‘Something needs to be done’: Community gathers to discuss pedestrian safety in Halifax
Community groups in Halifax are coming together to address the rising concern of pedestrian safety on the city’s busiest streets. With an increasing number of pedestrians being struck by vehicles, the grassroots Pedestrian Safety Project organized a panel discussion in Dartmouth to tackle this pressing issue.
Rebecca Cameron, the founder of the Pedestrian Safety Project, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Something needs to be done. I think the past few months there’s been quite the increase in incidents and fatalities.” Tragically, four people have already lost their lives this year in Halifax Regional Municipality due to pedestrian-vehicle collisions.
The Crosswalk Safety Society of Nova Scotia, which monitors such incidents, has reported a higher number of pedestrian-vehicle collisions in the first two months of 2025 compared to previous years. This alarming trend was further highlighted by a recent incident where a 77-year-old woman sustained serious injuries after being hit by a vehicle in a marked crosswalk in downtown Halifax.
Despite the introduction of a new road safety plan by the regional municipality aimed at eliminating fatalities and serious collisions by 2038, advocates like Norm Collins, the founder of the Crosswalk Safety Society of Nova Scotia, argue that more needs to be done. Collins criticized the municipality’s focus on reducing speed limits and installing speed bumps in residential areas, noting that most pedestrian collisions occur on busier streets.
Sara Kirk, a professor of health promotion at Dalhousie University and a frequent pedestrian and cyclist, stressed the importance of implementing measures such as curb cutouts, roundabouts, and raised crosswalks to compel drivers to slow down and be more attentive. These infrastructure changes can significantly enhance pedestrian safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
The panel discussion underscored the need for a comprehensive approach to pedestrian safety that prioritizes infrastructure improvements on high-traffic streets. By actively involving community members, government officials, law enforcement, and advocacy groups, Halifax can work towards creating safer streets for pedestrians and preventing further tragedies.
